Alabama Fiber Network (AFN) has completed its statewide middle-mile fiber network, delivering more than 6,700 route miles of high-speed fiber infrastructure across all 67 Alabama counties. The utility-grade, open-access network provides a resilient foundation for expanding broadband access, supporting economic development and connecting communities across the state. Supported by more than $270 million in state and federal investment awarded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the project includes an $82.4 million grant awarded in 2022 and an additional $188 million awarded in 2024-2025 to expand connectivity to schools, hospitals, libraries and public safety facilities. Established by eight Alabama electric cooperatives, AFN leverages existing fiber assets, utility rights-ofway and decades of infrastructure expertise. The network features more than 78 hardened points of presence (PoPs), redundant power systems and diverse fiber routes designed to withstand severe weather. “This is a major milestone for Alabama and a testament to what public and private partners can accomplish together,” said Terry Metze, CEO of AFN. “We’ve built a statewide fiber backbone that creates new opportunities for businesses, communities and broadband providers. It’s an investment in Alabama’s future.” With its statewide backbone complete, AFN is focused on supporting broadband providers, expanding last-mile connectivity opportunities and strengthening Alabama’s digital infrastructure. p Trunkstar, a global connectivity lifecycle management provider, will demonstrate its replacement for manual quoting: an AI multisite check that transforms multilocation RFPs into one quote. “Manual quoting just became a museum piece,” said Mees Kraan, Trunkstar’s marketing director. “Trunkstar’s AI multisite check reduces days of work to a matter of minutes.” “We’ve all been there: one RFP, eight locations, one messy spreadsheet, and days of copy-paste before a quote goes out,” Kraan added. “With the AI multisite check, your team uploads the RFP and the repetitive work is taken over: AI prepares the addresses and requirements, geocodes every location, and runs availability checks and pricing searches across all sites at once, hands-off. Everything comes together as a multi-site quote with pricing and contract terms in a single place.” p For more details, visit Trunkstar at Deal Center Table 4. Alabama Fiber Network Completes 6,700-Mile Fiber Backbone Trunkstar to Demonstrate AI Multisite Check www.bekabusinessmedia.com SHOW.INCOMPAS.ORG 7 DAY 1 Pilot Fiber has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the New York and New Jersey metro fiber business of Boldyn Networks. This marks Pilot’s second acquisition, following the purchase of Extenet’s enterprise fiber business in August of this year. In support of this continued growth, Pilot has raised over $330 million in new financing, led by Fengate Asset Management. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Boldyn’s metro fiber business assets include a New York City fiber network known for data center connectivity, smart city infrastructure and enterprise services, as well as a New Jersey fiber network serving commercial and carrier customers throughout the state. Upon closing, Pilot’s owned footprint will contain more than 1,600 route miles of fiber and connect more than 1,200 buildings and 50 data centers, according to the company. The transaction will significantly extend Pilot’s reach into Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and across New Jersey. “This acquisition unlocks a new level of scale for us,” said Pilot CEO Joe Fasone. “Boldyn’s network reaches deep into the five boroughs to the border of Nassau County, and throughout northern and central Jersey, with strong carrier and enterprise relationships already in place. Now we get to bring the same customer-first experience that’s defined Pilot from day one to businesses across a much larger part of the region.” Fengate Asset Management is making its equity investment in Pilot via Fengate Infrastructure Fund V. The investment is led by its Managing Director and Head of Digital Infrastructure Warren Roll, who will be joining Pilot’s board of directors. “Pilot has built one of the strongest enterprise fiber operations in New York, and Boldyn’s network gives it the reach to grow across all five boroughs and New Jersey,” said Roll. “Pilot’s end-to-end operating model is the right way to unlock that network’s full potential. We are proud to partner with Joe and his team, and Fengate is fully committed to Pilot’s long-term success.” The newly acquired assets significantly expand Pilot’s reach across the New York metro area, including: • More than 860 route miles of fiber into New Jersey commercial corridors, including strong presence among healthcare and financial businesses. • Expanded on-net reach into Brooklyn via a dedicated East River crossing, and into the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens with fiber extending to the Nassau County border. • Monopole infrastructure supporting lowlatency connectivity between major financial exchanges. The acquired business currently serves approximately 100 enterprise, carrier and institutional customers. Pilot plans to integrate these customers into its business once the transaction closes, extending the same fast service delivery, responsiveness and knowledgeable support that define the Pilot customer experience. Pilot will bring its full product suite, including dedicated internet access, Ethernet transport, dark fiber, wavelength and IP transit, to businesses with complex, high-capacity connectivity needs across the combined network. p To learn more, visit Pilot Fiber at Deal Center Table 22. Pilot Fiber to Acquire Boldyn Network’s New York/New Jersey Metro Fiber Business
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